Pneumonia

Pneumonia

An infectious inflammation of air sacs in one or both lungs, which makes it difficult to breath, is called pneumonia. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the condition and age of the patient. Pneumonia treatment is usually performed with medications and also depends on multiple factors. More detailed information about this condition, its symptoms, diagnosis and pneumonia treatment options is presented below.

As stated above, pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

Is is condition dangerous?

It can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is normally more serious in:

Infants

Young children

People older than age 65

People with health problems or weakened immune systems

PNEUMONIA SYMPTOMS

The symptoms may vary from mild to severe. It depends on factors like the type of bacteria that’s causing the infection, your age and overall health. Signs and symptoms that are mild are often similar to those of a cold or flu. However, they last longer. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia include:

Fever, sweating and shaking chills

Cough (may produce phlegm)

Chest pain when breathing or coughing

Breath shortness

Fatigue

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

PNEUMONIA TREATMENT OPTIONS

Specific treatments for this disease will depend on the type and severity of your condition, your age and your overall health. The options are:

Antibiotics

These antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may take some time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to pick the best antibiotic for treatment. Your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic if your symptoms don’t improve.

Sputum test: A sputum sample from your lungs is taken after a deep cough and will be analyzed to help pinpoint the exact cause of the infection.

Bronchoscopy: Patients who present initially with severe pneumonia or who fail to improve or worsen during their hospitalization despite treatment with antibiotics may require further testing with bronchoscopy. In this procedure, a physician uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to view the trachea and bronchi (the tube between the trachea and lungs). This allows them to look directly at the lungs, collect fluid samples or a biopsy (a small tissue sample), and determine whether there is an underlying cause of infection, such as a growth or inhaled foreign body.